PRESS RELEASE – City of Sarasota to Proclaim August Breastfeeding Awareness Month

Healthy Start Coalition, Breastfeeding Advocates of Sarasota County, and other local organizations celebrate with “Latch-On, Sarasota” Breastfeeding Awareness events and more

August 4, 2018– The City of Sarasota will once again proclaim August as Breastfeeding Awareness Month. Mayor Liz Alpert will present the Proclamation at 10:00 am at the Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County’s “Latch-On, Sarasota” event at the Downtown Sarasota Farmer’s Market on Saturday, August 4th.

“Latch-On, Sarasota” is a public awareness event in which breastfeeding women gather together to break the local record for the “most simultaneous breastfeeding moms.” Over 100 nursing moms are expected to attend. At precisely 10:30 am on Saturday, August 4th, all breastfeeding moms (including those who pump or supplement) are invited to join in on this fun and exciting event. Participants are asked to pre-register beginning at 9:00 am. For a limited number of early registrants, we’ll be giving away an “Eat Local” Onesie while supplies last.

We are excited that we are able to host an event in south county again this year at the Sarasota Memorial Hospital North Port ER and Health Care Center located at 2345 Bobcat Village Center Rd in the second-floor conference room. The Downtown Sarasota event will be held at the south end of the Market, in front of the State Street Parking Garage on State Street. This event is part of two international efforts to increase breastfeeding awareness: Global Big Latch On and the La Leche League’s Live, Love, Latch. Sift Bakehouse will be donating delicious cookies for the Downtown Sarasota Farmer’s Market event and Abbe’s Donut Shop will be donating donuts to the North Port event. The Sarasota Farmer’s Market will also have fun coconut painting to entertain your little ones. We are grateful for everyone’s support!

“World Breastfeeding Week is important to our mission. Breastfeeding is one of the greatest gifts we can share with our children. These events are a fun way to come together as a community and support one another.” – Shon Ewens, Executive Director of the Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County

The Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County, Inc. is also celebrating with its 13th Annual World Breastfeeding Week Door Decorating Contest. Local businesses, organizations, and healthcare facilities are invited to decorate a public space – an office door, window, poster, or even vehicle – that is visible to the public with a message that supports or promotes breastfeeding. This year’s theme is “Breastfeeding: Foundation of Life” but any supportive message is encouraged. Judging takes place the first week of August and winners will be announced August 15th. This year’s overall winner will be selected via public vote, and winners will receive the coveted “Golden Nipple Award”.

“The more support we provide a breastfeeding mother, the more successful they will be. Our community can show its support in simple ways such as these fun events for World Breastfeeding Week. It shows them that their community values them and what they are doing for their babies.” -Jamee Thumm, Breastfeeding Advocates of Sarasota County Chair & Healthy Start Coalition Educational Services Manager

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all infants are breastfed, with no supplements given, for at least the first six months of life and with continuation of breastfeeding for one year or longer as mutually desired by mother and infant. Breastfeeding is proven to give babies the best start in life, providing optimal nutrition while also strengthening the immune system and nurturing maternal-child bonding. Babies who are breastfed are less likely to have ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, and bacterial infections. Breastfeeding is also beneficial for the mother, as it helps return the uterus to a normal size after pregnancy, prevents anemia, and reduces the risk of ovarian cancer, breast cancer, and osteoporosis.

Breastfeeding Advocates of Sarasota County is a dynamic workgroup comprised of passionate individuals, agencies, and organizations working to improve breastfeeding through education, direct services, and workplace support. For more information, visit healthystartsarasota.org/basc